Synopsis
Jia Zhangke moves from his usual contemplative observation into stylized genre territory in this anthology of four contemporary news stories reimagined as a martial-arts epic of working-class rage. The result is one of the few films to depict modern China's economic violence with both clarity and operatic force.
Did You Know?
- Inspired by four real news stories from China between 2001 and 2012.
- Won the Cannes screenplay prize for Jia.
- Banned in mainland China despite winning major Chinese awards abroad.
- Each story shot in a different province for authenticity.
- Title is a homage to King Hu's 1971 wuxia classic "A Touch of Zen".
Iconic Quotes
- "Strangers are pigs."
- "You have nothing to lose now."
- "Do you understand your sins?"
- "It is the only way."
- "Be good."
